Is a break necessary?

gotwood25

I am looking to get into my first season of racing (hopefully) next January in the Velo29 Winter series and looking to embark on a 12 week Trainer Road training plan over the Winter in order to be in form for then. However I was just wondering whether I should take a couple of weeks off before starting.

As I say, I haven't raced before but this year I have upped my miles, intensity and to some degree the seriousness in which I ride. Year to date I have done around 5200 miles generally doing between 100-200 miles per week, which have been mixed between commutes, sportives, long club rides, chain-gangs and structured training on the turbo so about as mixed as you can get.

So, will I see any benefit in a short break, or should I just keep on keeping on?

jgsi

Ask yourself.. do I need to stop riding?
Probably not.
Personally, I traIn better than I race, I actually like the prospect of the next 5 months of putting in structured training blocks.

phreak

How do you feel? If you don't feel physically or mentally in need of a break, then you probably don't need one.

meanredspider

Personally, I find a week to 10 days off the bike, if I've been riding a lot, makes me much faster. I believe we don't rest enough because it doesn't feel like real work.

BeaconRuth

It's not long until January - I wouldn't recommend anyone has a break from training with only 12 weeks before their target event(s). But perhaps the January races aren't really your main target events of 2015?

Your post and question make me think you are picking up on something which is usually mainly of concern to dedicated racing cyclists who plan their year carefully, train and race very hard and really need a breather at this time of year. It doesn't sound like you're (yet) a racing cyclist, like you've planned your year carefully, or like you've trained really hard. So I suggest that a break probably isn't really necessary - though, as others have said, if you feel you need one and would come back more eager and refreshed afterwards then maybe.....

Ruth

gotwood25

BeaconRuth wrote:

It's not long until January - I wouldn't recommend anyone has a break from training with only 12 weeks before their target event(s). But perhaps the January races aren't really your main target events of 2015?

Your post and question make me think you are picking up on something which is usually mainly of concern to dedicated racing cyclists who plan their year carefully, train and race very hard and really need a breather at this time of year. It doesn't sound like you're (yet) a racing cyclist, like you've planned your year carefully, or like you've trained really hard. So I suggest that a break probably isn't really necessary - though, as others have said, if you feel you need one and would come back more eager and refreshed afterwards then maybe.....

Ruth

That is pretty much nail on the head.
Never raced but looking to possibly get into it, I saw the Velo29 Winter series as a great way to try my hand and see if its for me. The TrainerRoad plans seem to be around 12 weeks which fit nicely for the late January start and I was posing the question to see if a short break before commencing this training would be of any benefit.

Currently I feel great, however as I have not raced before nor aimed to 'peak' (and I use the term peak in its loosest possible form) for anything specific I'm kind of in the dark a bit and would like to give myself the best possible chance of doing well.

Appreciate the feedback thus far.

BeaconRuth

OK, you have got a week or two in hand if you've got a 12-week plan and the races start in late January. Why not give yourself a week of chilling out - no plans, no pressure, a few treats, pure 'me' time - and then start a 12-week plan really fresh, keen and motivated? Whatever anyone's history and experience it is a good motivational trick to start something afresh with all the resolve and determination to do it properly. Like being given a new exercise book at school! ;-)

Ruth

gotwood25

That sounds like a plan.